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The 35-year-old Serbian was deported from Australia in the
lead-up to the Grand Slam tournament this year on the grounds
that his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination threatened the
stability of country.
The former world number one said he was hoping to hear soon
whether his bid to have his three-year visa ban set aside by the
government had been successful.
"When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but
unofficially," he told Serbia's Sportal in an interview.
"We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia. In fact,
they are communicating with the authorities in charge of my
case.
"I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks – whatever that
answer might be, but of course I am hoping for a positive one –
so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the
season, if that start is going to happen in Australia."
Australia's Home Affairs ministry has repeatedly reiterated its
policy of not commenting on individual cases.
Djokovic remains unvaccinated but Australia scrapped a rule that
required international travellers to declare their COVID
vaccination status in July.
Opposition lawmaker and former Home Affairs Minister Karen
Andrews said earlier this month that to waive Djokovic's ban
would be a "slap in the face" for Australians who did get
vaccinated.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said earlier
this month that Djokovic would be welcome in January if he could
get a visa, but that Tennis Australia was unable to lobby on his
behalf.
Djokovic, now ranked seventh in the world, confirmed that he
would finish his season at the Paris Masters and ATP Finals in
Turin and would love to kick off his 2023 campaign in Australia.
"I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year
and I just want to play tennis, it is what I do best," the
21-times Grand Slam winner said.
"Australia has always been the place where I have played my best
tennis, the results speak for themselves, so I am always extra
motivated to go there. This time even more, so.
"I am hoping for a positive answer."
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Shri Navaratnam)
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